Match Report - By Steven Mew

City played host to Ross County yesterday in which was the first game since Brechin City and Ian Campbell parted company. John Hillcoat and Paul Deas were given the job of firing the players up until City decide on a new manager, and they certainly did breathe a cease of life into the squad for this match. The chairman also had words with the squad at training during the week saying they have to perform for the rest of the season; otherwise they will find themselves out of the club.

County, despite their well speculated financial problems, were doing very well on the pitch under the management of Gardner Spiers and have constantly kept the pressure on St Mirren throughout the season. The staggies were also hoping to do the clean sweep over Brechin, as they had won the previous three matches between the two sides in the league with 1-0 and 2-0 wins in Dingwall and a 4-1 victory at the Glebe.

City only had Gary Bollan and Danny Grainger out due to suspension and with them both being left backs caretaker manager Paul Deas had to list himself in the first eleven. Meanwhile, County were without former City keeper Stuart Garden, who had injured himself in the match against St Johnstone last week. Alex Burke, who has been a constant thorn in the flesh for Brechin this season, was also out for the visitors.

City showed hunger and determination from the start and it was as early as the second minute before they registered their first effort on goal. Steven Hampshire made a good run down the right hand side before cutting the ball back for Darren Smith, who didn’t connect well with the ball and Ian McCaldon gathered the ball easily.

City were starting to outplay their opponents which has been a very rare sight this season, and deservedly took the lead on the quarter hour mark. David Hannah’s free kick was only cleared as far as Scott Walker at the edge of the box, who controlled the ball on his shoulder before firing a crisp full volley which swerved and dipped over Ian McCaldon and into the corner of the net. I very much doubt big ‘Scotty’ has scored a goal quite like this before, which is surely a contender for goal of the month!

Despite taking the lead, City took their foot of the pedal a little bit which allowed County to create a few decent chances. Sean Higgins tried his luck with a spectacular overhead kick but Craig Nelson threw himself across the face of goal to palm away the effort. The same player came close five minutes before the break when his scorching drive smacked the crossbar with Craig Nelson beaten.

The visitors continued this spell of pressure after the break when Don Cowie drove the ball just past the post, before County grabbed a perhaps deserved equaliser. John Rankins shot deflected off Paul Deas and into the path of Lionel Djebi Zadi, who struck a low drive which ended in the corner of the net, with the awkward bounce evading Craig Nelson in the Brechin goal.

Brechin however, kept battling and they were rewarded five minutes later when they were given a penalty after Lionel Zjebi Zadi went hero to villain by handling the ball inside the box. Recent recruit David Hannah confidently stepped up and sent Ian McCaldon the wrong way with his spot kick.

City kept up the pressure and added another goal after 71 minutes. Steven Hampshire passed to Gerry Britton who flicked the ball onto Grant Johnson at the edge of the box, and the cultured midfielder struck a speculative overhead kick which dipped over Ian McCaldon and into the corner of the net. This is another goal that may well feature in the ‘goal of the month’!

The game looked sewn up at this point with City cruising to three points, but the tiring home side were stretched to the limit by an energetic front line.

County reduced the deficit eight minutes from time when Sean Webb bundled the ball home from Jim Lauchlans cut-back despite a County player straying well offside beforehand.

Barely 60 seconds later and Ross County were level thanks to another controversial goal. David Winters appeared to have controlled a pass from substitute Craig Gunn with his arm, before striking the ball crisply into the bottom corner.

City pushed for a winner in the dying seconds and nearly found it when Steven Hampshire was put through on goal but McCaldon in the County goal got down well to block the strikers shot.

That appeared to be the last action of the game and City will no doubt feel aggrieved that they had lost. Very few County fans would argue against the fact the two late goals should not have been given.

Paul Deas and John Hillcoat certainly did their task of firing the players up for this encounter as ever City player on the pitch looked eager for the ball, but it’s just a shame that two awful decisions cost City a deserved win against the league chasers.

Scott Walker was solid at the back for City and it’s not often you see a centre back score a goal like that! David Hannah once again put in another assured performance for city as he looks to win a contract for next season.

Next up for City is table toppers St Mirren at Glebe Park on Tuesday night. Supporters are reminded that this is a 7:45pm kick off.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 1

Airdrie United 0 Hamilton Academical 0

Goalless draw at New Broomfield in the Lanarkshire derby.

Clyde 0 St Mirren 1

the title is St Mirren's to throw away now...

Dundee 0 St Johnstone 1

St Johnstone edge out Dundee in the Tayside derby.

Queen of the South 1 Stranraer 0

Queen's great escape goes on...